E. D. R. S. Canby to The Adjutant-General of the Army, January 11, 1862

The ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. O.: , à

SIR: I have the honor to report that I left Fort Craig on the 6th instant, with a light battery, three companies of cavalry, three of infantry (regulars), and four of infantry volunteers, and have established a reserve camp at this place with the regular troops, the volunteers having been sent back to Fort Craig to escort trains on the road to that place.

The valley of the Rio Grande can be reached from the Pecos by the Abo, Manzano, and Galisteo Passes. “This point is above the Abo Pass, and is centrally and conveniently situated for the concentration of troops

to meet an enemy approaching from the Pecos by either of the above.

routes, or if the main demonstration should be against Fort Craig, with the entire foree in that direction. :

All the different approaches to the country are élosely watched by scouts and spies, and I have no apprehension of thé approach of the enemy without receivmg several days’ notice. The available force in this part of the department, about 1,500 men, can be concentrated at this place in about twenty-four hours.

I have left at Fort Craig nineteen companies—1,400 men—of which Six are regulars, ten volunteers of several months’ instruction and discipline, one of spies and guides, and two militia. In addition to these, Colonel Roberts has subject to his call six companies of volunteers that can join him in twenty-four hours.

The most reliable accounts from the Mesilla give 2,100 men as the force of the enemy in that quarter. Our scouts on the Pecos report no force on that river within 200 miles of this place. Two regiments that

left San Antonio, Tex., on the 9th and 16th of November for New Mex- –

ico not accounted for among the troops that have reached the Mesilla. This fact, more than any other, gives probability to the reported invasion by the Pecos.

Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,